Suspended tent.



U. E. MARK. SUSPENDED TENT. APPLICATION FILED mum, 1903.

Patented June 14, 1910.

8 SHEETS-SHEET l I G. E. MARK.

SUSPENDED TENT. APPLICATION FILED MAB. 7, 1903.

Patented June 14, 1910 aunt m A (iiZ/EJZZOIZ aiiuessesm V 30/02, 72 I fin MARK. SUSPENDED TENT. Ammcwzou Mum MAE. 7 190a.

Patented June 314, 1910.

Mizqesse: 9 5102451 O. E. MARK. SUSPENDED TENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-7 1903. 961,704.

Patented June 14, 1910.

8 SHEET$-SHEET 4- c. 5. MARK. SUSPENDED TENT LPPLIOATIOH FILED MAB. 7, 1903.

Patented June 14, 1910.

8 SHEETS-$111131 5.

C. E. MARK. SUSPENDED TEN T. APPLICATION FILED HA2. 7, 1903.

Patented June 14, 1910.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

G. E. MARK.

SUSPENDED TENT. APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 7, 1903.

961,704. Patented June 14, 1910.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

wI iflesses all? SUSPENDED TENT. APPLICATION FILED 7, 1903.

- ropes for connecting the tent with the trees rights 15..

or other supports.

As thus illustrated, my invention consists of a tent which can be easily put together and taken apart, and which can be suspended at any suitable or desired distance above the ground, so as to provide a thoroughly dry and safe place for sleeping. As shown in the drawings, said tent comprises preferably a pair'of side walls l the sldping roof walls 2, the end walls 3, and the floor 1. The said side walls preferablr comprise in ner and outer flaps, 5 and 6, of canvas or other suitable material, and an interposed layer of mosquito netting 7. The said oiiter flap is preferably of a size to extend somewhat below the floor-of the tent, and can be cut away at its lower corners, as at 8. Each side wall may be provided with one or more windows 9, consisting of a pair of rings 1010,mounted respectively in the inner and outer flaps, and separated by the ln; er of mosquito netting 7 and a small window flap 11. A similar window flap 12 can be arranged to normally cover the innersurface of each window. If desired, the inner flap of each side wall can be provided with pockets 13 adapted to receive various articles. Thetstructure as a whole preferably comprises two end frames, each consisting of a lower bar or sill 14, a couple of uprights 15, a couple of inclined roof members 16 united at then upper ends, and an upper horizontal beam or rafter 17. The uprights 15 are preferably connected with the sill 14 by means of pivotal connections 18. The upper ends of the inclined roof members can be connected or united by castings '19. Cast ings 20, having grooved seats 21, can be employed for connecting the lower ends of the members 16 with the upper ends of the up- The bracket castings 22 may serve as the means of connecting the horizontal bars or rafters 17 with the inclined roof members. Each casting 19 is preferably provided at its,top with. a grooved seat 23. [he grooved seats 21 on the upper corner or eaves castings are adaptedv to receive theeaves ropes 24, while the grooved seats 23 at the tops of the end frames are adapted to receive the roof or peak cord 25. The roof walls 2 preferably extend around the eaves ropes 24, and can be united in any suitable manner with the upper edges of the sidewalls 1, as illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20. The upper edgesof the flaps 5 can be inserted in the fold thus formed in the'piece of canvas or other material constituting the roof and side wall, and can then be stitched or sewed in place, as indicated at 26, in .Fim

19. At the corners, the end walls 3 are preterably double-stitched to the roof and side walls, as shown in Fig. 15. It will be read ily understood, however, that the sheets of canvas, duck, or other suitable material constituting the end, side and top walls, can be connected or united at their edges in any suitable ordesired manner.

As a simple and ellective arrangement for securing the end edges of the inner and outer flaps of the side walls in place, and for also securing the side edges of the end walls in place, the adjacent marginal portions or said walls and flaps can be secured to an upright 15 of the end frame in the manner shown in Fig. 16. In this figure, the edge portions of the different canvas walls are secured in place by pins or nails 27 inserted hrough small metal rings 28 secured to the canvas or other material. The end and roof walls of the tent can be secured to the inclined roof member 16 in the manner shown in Fig. 17. In this case, the pins or nails 29 are inserted through the small metal rings 30 secured in the double lapseam uniting the end wall with the roof wall.

The floor 4 of the tent may consist of the strip of canvas or other suitable material of the proper size and dimensions, and can have its parallel side edges 3Lturned up and provided with eyes 32 adapted to en age the hooks 33 on the inner flaps of the sine walls. The said door can have its end portions wrapped around the sills or lower bars 1% of the end frames, as, for example, in the manner shown in Figs. 23 an'd24. Thus the ends of the said floor are securely fastened to the sills of the end frames, while the up turned marginal portions of the door are adapted to be secured to the lower edges of the inner flaps of the. side walls. In this way, the floor and the different. walls of the tent combine to provide a chamber free from undesirable openin s or apertures. It will be observed that. the forward wall of the tent is preferably composed of two flaps which may be parted or separated in order to permit entrance to the tent.

As a matter of further and special improvement, the inner side flaps of the tent can be provided with buttons 34 adapted to engage the eyes or hooks 35 on the lower ends of the straps 36. These straps can be arranged to hang from the peak or upper portion of the tent, and when thus provided are adapted to support the inner tla s of the tent in elevated positions, as shown 1n dotted lines in Fig. 10. It will also be observed that the outer side flaps of the tent can be released from the uprights of the end frames and swung up and around the eaves of the tent, so as to rest upon the roof walls 2. By

thus raising both the inner and outer side flaps of the tent, the latter is left with side walls consisting-merely of the mosquito netting; Y. r

The tent thus constructed can be suspended in a suitably elevated position in any delll our,

sired dunner. For example, the tent may be sus oenoed by able cords or ropes becouple oi oi shown in .2, These cords or ro oes can be any suitable manner, but as a ma rther improvement suilable pulare on wl' relay the different suspfil'ldi nd lug; ropes can be drawn taut fir we o'urpose preventing the tent from ropes n l drawn taut :ror one purpose of stretching the door side walls of she tent, and for the purpose of slaying; the tent against side swing. The eyes of the castings I can be connected by suspending cords or ropes wiilr the books 44-, which are also tied to the trees. The caves ropes 24 are preferably connected to a double pulley 45, such crown in 2 and 18. These double pu leyi' are also connected with llie uprights oi. the end frames by means of the short cords and cyobolts ei T 1c lightening cords l8 serve medium. of adjust able co-n'ueclion between "these pulle s do and the pulleys which lacier lied co the trees. in this way, the cords L8 cooper-ale with the cords or ropes all. in stretching and staying the floor, side and top walls of the tent between the two trees, And this stretching of the rent is further acconi- 'plislied by means of the double pulleys 50 and 51 and the cords or ropes 52, which constitute the medium of adjustable connection betweenv the eaves rope 25 and the supporting hooks all. The suspending cords or ropes 53, as previously explained, serve to suspend the lent in any desired position, and leave the cords ll, 48 and 52 Wlilll no other function than to properly stretch the tent. and stay it against lateral swing or movement.

It will be readily understood that the diiE- ferent pulleys, hooks, and cords, can be of any suitable form and construction, and can be modified if desired, The ladder or stairway leading from the ground to the forward end of the tent, and shown in Figs. 1, 4c and 14, can be of any suitable or desired construction. Preferably, however, and with a,

view to providing a ladder or stairway which can be easily taken. apart and put together, and which can be easily expanded or confiraclcd to blue desired length, the said ladder or stair-way may comprise a numher of steps or boards each provided with a pair of castings 55 adapted to do the opposite ends of the board, Each cashing may be provided Willi l1ook-like lugs '56 arranged as shown in lli 13,'and adapted to engage ille eyesiormed atthe ends of the connecting links 57. Thus the ladder or staii way can be of any desired number of steps, ii. being a comparatively simple marter to either add or detach one or more steps. Preferably, and as shown in Figs. and 25, the ends of the sills 14: are provided with depending hooks 58, ado-pied to receive the ends of a cord or rope The upper links 57 of the stair-way or ladder can lzhon be secured to this rone 59 in any \suilablc mannor. 'lhe lowe def the ladder or stairway can be connected with stakes 60. in this way, the stair-way or ladder can, sfiated, he ofany suitable or desired length, and can stretched taut between the ground and the forward or entering end of the lent.

As simple and eliective arrangement for keeping the floor of the rent smooth and in proper condition, I provide the upper and lower cleats (51 and (52, arranged in extend rransversely across the floor at points near the ends of the tent, These deals, with the floor between them, can be scored together by bolts 63, which can be tightened to clunip' the canvas or cloth of the floor tightly becween the opoosing' of the cl ats. l refcrahly llie openings thro 1 the ll-oorifor die bolts are encircled by washers 6 2, of leallier or other suitable male-rial. The op posing faces of the slats are preferably provided with recesses or seats adapted to receive these washers Gll and adapted to perrni't the slats to be brought tightly together for the purpose of firmly clamping the canvas or other material.

Thus constructed, it will be seen that my improved tent preferably comprises a pair of end frames which can be connected with trees, poles, or other supports through the medium of pulleys and cords, and between which the door, top and side Walls of the tent can be stretched rant and held in the proper condirion. The pivotal connections between "the sills oi the end frames and the uprights facilitate the stretching of the tent, and permit the proper tension to be applied to the tops cords and pulley a floor, side and between the trees or other supports. In this way, the floor of the tent can, if desired, be employed as a hammock. Obviously, however, the chief advantage of my improvement lies in the factlthat the tent may be easily and satisf ctorily suspended above the ground, so as to provide a dry and safe place for sleeping. Broadly considered, therefore, my invention contemplates a tent which may be suspended in an elevated osition, and which may be stretched taut etween two suitable supports.

It will be seen that my invention consists essentially of a non-swaying aerial tent provided with a stretched or fiat floor. By aerial it will be understood that I mean a' tent. suspended in the air, and of a character to be suspended above the ground as'shown and described.

I claim as my invention 1. A n0n-swaying aerial tent comprising roof walls, end frames to and walls are secured, and s for supporting the tent in an elevated position, and adapted for drawing the floor. and walls of the tent taut between tvvo supports, the structure as a whole being essentially adapted to be supported in mid-air by stretching it taut between two suitable supports.

2. A non-swaying aerial tent comprising a door, side and roof walls of canvas or other like material, end f mes to whichsaid floor and alls are secured, each frame comprising a sill, uprights, and inclined roofmembers, the lower ends of the uprights being pivotally connected with the S113, and

which the floor attaching devices for suspending the tent in an elevated position and adapted for draw-' ing the said floor and walls taut between the two end frames.

3. A non-swaying tent comprising a suitable floor, side and roof walls, end. walls, frames to which said floor and walls are suitably, secured, ropes extending through the eaves of the tent, another ro e extending through the peak or apex o the tent, attachin devices for suspending the tent in anelhvated position and drawing said walls taut, and means for tightening said I ropes.

4. A non-swaying aerial tent comprisinga pair of end frames, swinging side wallshavmg their ends buttoned to the said end frames, end walls and roof walls also buttoned to said end frames, a floor stretched between said end frames, and cords and pulleys for connecting said end frames with supports, .and whereby the floor and walls of the tent may be drawn taut between the said end frames. I

5. A non-swaying aerial tent, means for stretching said tent taut between two suitable supports, said tent having inner and scarce l 4 I 6. A non-swaying aerial tent, means for stretching said tent taut between suitable supports, said tent being constructed with inner and outer side flaps having windows,

mosquito netting interposed between the flaps at each side of the tent, hangers whereby the inner fiaps malt be raised and held in an elevated position; and means whereby the outer flaps may be swun outward, so as to leave the tent with side walls composed solely of the mosquito netting.

aerial tent comprising 7. A n n-s aying at their upper corners end frames provided or eaves portions with rooved seats, a floor and side and roof wal for the said tent,

parallel eaves ropes seated in said rooves or seats, and means for drawin sai ropes taut, the structure as a whole ing essentially adapted to be supported in mid-air by stretclnng it taut between two supports.

At non-swaying aerial tent, said tent.

comprising end frames provided at their tops or apices with grooves or seats, a floor and side and roof walls for said tent, and a peak ro e extending along the peak of the tent an lying in said seats or grooves, to-- gether with means for drawing said rope taut, the structure as a whole being essentially adapted to be supported in mid-air by stretchlng it taut betweentwo supports.

A non-swaying aerial tent comprising a pair of end sills, a floor stretched between said sills, vertically disposed frame members pivotally connected with said sills, side and roof walls stretched between said frame members, and means for connecting said sill and frame with supports, the structure as a whole being essentially adapted to be supported in mid-air by stretching it taut between two supports.

10. A non-swaying aerial tent having a flat floor and side and to and end walls, and

provided also, at its en s, with two sets of ropes and means for drawing said ropes taut, the structure as a' whole being essentially adapted to be supported in mi -air by stretching it taut between two supports.

11. A non-swaying aerial tent comprising a floor, side and roof walls, end frames to which the floor and walls are secured, and cords and pulleys for supporting the tent in an elevated position, and adapted for drawing the floor and walls of the tent taut between supports, the structure as a whole being essentially adapted to be supported in mid-air by stretching it taut between supports.

12. A non-swaying aerial tent comprismg rigid end frames or spreaders and a flexible body, a plurality of connections for said frames, and means for drawing said body taut throngh said connections.

13. A. nmvswaying aerial tent. comprising rigid end frames or Spreaders and a flexible 5 body, a plurality of connections for each lower corner thereof, and means for drawing said body taut through said connections.

Signed. by me at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 23rd day of February, 1903. CHARLTE E. MARK.

\Vitnesses:

ARTHUR F. Duct-1x1), CHAS. C. BULKLEY. 

